NEWS BRIEFS

BY RICH GRISET STAFF WRITER

Homicide suspects arrested

Police have arrested two suspects in relation to a homicide that occurred in the area of Eureka Drive on Dec. 14.

At about 3:10 a.m. on Dec. 14, county police responded to a reported shooting in the area of Eureka and Aldwell drives. Upon arrival, police located Basheed I. Boatwright, 36, outside a residence in the 7400 block of Eureka Drive. Boatwright, of the 1200 block of Aldwell Drive, had been shot. He was transported to an area hospital, where he died as a result of his injuries.

Later that day, at about 8:27 a.m., Richmond Police Department officers responded to the city’s Gilpin Court public housing complex to a report of a shooting. An officer attempted to stop a vehicle that matched the description of one that had fled the scene of the shooting. The vehicle sped away and a short pursuit ensued.

The vehicle was forced to stop in the 3300 block of Fourth Avenue when the roadway ended at a wooded area. An occupant exited the vehicle and fired multiple shots from an assault-style weapon at the officer, striking the officer’s cruiser. The officer returned fire, striking the shooter. A second occupant exited the vehicle and fled into the wooded area. The second occupant was located at about 9:24 a.m. His identity is being withheld because he is a juvenile.

Police have identified James E. Williams Jr., 18, of the 1100 block of Sumpter Street in Richmond, as a suspect in both crimes. He is currently in the custody of the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office at an area hospital. On Dec. 15, police located and arrested a second suspect, Davion P. Alexander, 19, in connection with the Chesterfield homicide.

Both men have been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Richmond detectives will charge Williams with additional crimes at a later date. Alexander, of Richmond, is being held at Chesterfield County Jail without bond. As of press time Monday, Richmond police spokesman Gene Lepley said the incidents were still under investigation and additional information was not available as of press time Monday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact county police at 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 748-0660.

Police investigate Amazon fire

Law enforcement officials are investigating a fire at the Amazon Fulfillment Center caused by an incendiary device.

At about 5 a.m. on Dec. 8, firefighters responded to the facility, located at 1901 Meadowville Technology Park, for a report of smoke in the building. Upon arrival, firefighters located a fire that had been extinguished before their arrival. The fire occurred in a shipping bin on the facility’s first floor. No one was injured.

County police, working in coordination with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Chesterfield Fire and EMS, are investigating the fire.

Anyone with information is asked to contact county police at 748-1251, the ATF confidential tip line at 1-888-283- 8477 or Crime Solvers at 748-0660.

Armed robbery under investigation

County police are investigating an armed robbery that took place at a convenience store on Dec. 17.

At about 5:55 p.m., police say two men entered Spencer’s convenience store at 4000 Kingsland Road and demanded money. One suspect was armed with a handgun and fired a shot during the robbery. The suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured during the incident.

The first suspect is described as about 5 feet 7 inches tall with a medium build. He was wearing a black hooded jacket, black pants, black shoes and a black mask. The second suspect is described as having a thin build. He was wearing a black hooded jacket with white stripes on the sleeves, black pants, black shoes and a black mask.

Anyone with information is asked to contact county police at 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 748-0660.

Petersburg man charged after eluding police

A Petersburg man has been charged with multiple felonies after eluding police in a pursuit that started in Chesterfield Dec. 14.

Virginia State Police charged Shawon Q. Beasley, 25, with four felony counts of eluding police and one misdemeanor count of eluding police, in addition to felonies for possession and possession with intent to distribute a schedule I or II drug. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for driving without a valid license.

Chesterfield police began the pursuit at 6:54 p.m. on Interstate 95 in Chesterfield. Beasley, driving a Lexus sedan, exited onto Temple Avenue in Colonial Heights, at which point Virginia State Police took the lead in the pursuit. Beasley stopped the vehicle on Monument Drive in Petersburg and fled on foot before being apprehended. State police are still searching for a male passenger in the vehicle, who also fled on foot.